Any Opinions on Westin Macau?
Nov 16th, 2008, 06:57 PM
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Any Opinions on Westin Macau?
We are finalizing our travel plans for 8 days in Hong Kong in mid December, and we were considering taking a side trip to Macau.( Not overly interested in gambling, but more in the culture and just enjoying a chill out day ) I have seen mixed reviews on the Westin, and would appreciate any opinions. Thank you so much~
Nov 17th, 2008, 10:50 PM
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Since the Westin is at the "bottom" of Coloane - it's the least convenient of all Macau hotels for sightseeing of the historical center.
For about the same price, I'd try the brand new Sofitel at Ponte 16 at inner harbor. It's at the oldest part of Macau, walkable to most of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
For about the same price, I'd try the brand new Sofitel at Ponte 16 at inner harbor. It's at the oldest part of Macau, walkable to most of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Nov 18th, 2008, 01:37 AM
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The advantages of the Westin are that it is right on the beach, has a quite nice outdoor pool and has a golf course; so if you mostly want to relax in the great December weather, see the village areas in Coloane, spend a few hours up in the historic core of old town Macau, and maybe play golf, it would be a good choice. (I have not stayed there in many years so have not seen the rooms, if you are reading negative reviews on something like tripadvisor.com, they may not be very nice, so that is a consideration, but for one night perhaps not a big deal.) You can take a bus up to the Senado Square in about 30 minutes, the cost is about MOP$4 (about US 50 cents). A taxi from the same area will cost about MOP$75 (just under US$10) and would take about half that time. A few hours is really all you need in the historic core.
I just love the Coloane end of Macau, it is so sleepy and peaceful. That area IMO is where you can still see the Portuguese-Chinese culture. You would also be away from the noise and craziness of Macau city proper which, with all the construction going on is a big plus, IMO.
If the Westin does not appeal, another hotel option might be the Posada de Sao Tiago, which is quite atmospheric as it is built into an old fortress. It reopened last year after a redo, I have not seen it, but before the redo it had a great restaurant and a good bit of charm, so if the redo is finished and was done well, I think it would be a good choice. Take a look at http://www.saotiago.com.mo/main_e.html. While not in the historic core proper, it is in an interesting area and has some nice sea views.
The village of Coloane itself has a Tin Hau temple and some little streets with shops and good restaurants and the famous and fantastic egg tarts at Lord Stow Bakery . (There are 3 branches in the town, which is about 500 yards wide, so you can’t miss one...). Two restaurants in the area to consider would be:
Espaço Lisboa
Rua das Gaivotas
Coloane Village
Tel: 853- 882 226
This is really excellent Portuguese food in a very pretty setting, they have two floors and an outdoor terrace. A reservation for dinner would probably be a good idea, esp on a weekend.
Fernando's
9 Hac Sa Beach
Hac Sa, Coloane
Phone: (853)-882-531)
This is a Macau institution, absolutely packed on weekends you will need a reservation for sure. This is basically walkable from the Westin. Some people think they has slipped in its standards, I think it is still a nice meal.
IMO the very best guide to Macau is the Luxe Guide which gives a very concise walking tour of the historic core that will take you away from the most crowded areas and gives the very best restaurant and shopping reccos. A map will also be helpful, there is not one in the Luxe Guide. You can buy this in Hong Kong, its part of the Luxe Hong Kong guide, which is also good for restaurants and shopping. Or go to http://luxecityguides.com. (They write guides to many other cites in Asia and some in Europe, which while irreverent in tone are frankly the best for restaurants, shopping and some unusual tour ideas provided you have another book for history, customs, etc.) Most larger guides to Hong Kong (like Fodors) also contain a section on Macau, and there is usually a map there. The larger guides usually have a history of Macau which is also helpful.
It is of course perfectly possible to do a day trip to Macau and see everything you need to see, esp as you are not interested in gambling. Avoid Sundays and go on a weekday and you will find it much quieter. That would save you the hotel expense, and by going out early and staying until after dinner, you really can see everything and have dinner there as well which would be nice.
I just love the Coloane end of Macau, it is so sleepy and peaceful. That area IMO is where you can still see the Portuguese-Chinese culture. You would also be away from the noise and craziness of Macau city proper which, with all the construction going on is a big plus, IMO.
If the Westin does not appeal, another hotel option might be the Posada de Sao Tiago, which is quite atmospheric as it is built into an old fortress. It reopened last year after a redo, I have not seen it, but before the redo it had a great restaurant and a good bit of charm, so if the redo is finished and was done well, I think it would be a good choice. Take a look at http://www.saotiago.com.mo/main_e.html. While not in the historic core proper, it is in an interesting area and has some nice sea views.
The village of Coloane itself has a Tin Hau temple and some little streets with shops and good restaurants and the famous and fantastic egg tarts at Lord Stow Bakery . (There are 3 branches in the town, which is about 500 yards wide, so you can’t miss one...). Two restaurants in the area to consider would be:
Espaço Lisboa
Rua das Gaivotas
Coloane Village
Tel: 853- 882 226
This is really excellent Portuguese food in a very pretty setting, they have two floors and an outdoor terrace. A reservation for dinner would probably be a good idea, esp on a weekend.
Fernando's
9 Hac Sa Beach
Hac Sa, Coloane
Phone: (853)-882-531)
This is a Macau institution, absolutely packed on weekends you will need a reservation for sure. This is basically walkable from the Westin. Some people think they has slipped in its standards, I think it is still a nice meal.
IMO the very best guide to Macau is the Luxe Guide which gives a very concise walking tour of the historic core that will take you away from the most crowded areas and gives the very best restaurant and shopping reccos. A map will also be helpful, there is not one in the Luxe Guide. You can buy this in Hong Kong, its part of the Luxe Hong Kong guide, which is also good for restaurants and shopping. Or go to http://luxecityguides.com. (They write guides to many other cites in Asia and some in Europe, which while irreverent in tone are frankly the best for restaurants, shopping and some unusual tour ideas provided you have another book for history, customs, etc.) Most larger guides to Hong Kong (like Fodors) also contain a section on Macau, and there is usually a map there. The larger guides usually have a history of Macau which is also helpful.
It is of course perfectly possible to do a day trip to Macau and see everything you need to see, esp as you are not interested in gambling. Avoid Sundays and go on a weekday and you will find it much quieter. That would save you the hotel expense, and by going out early and staying until after dinner, you really can see everything and have dinner there as well which would be nice.
Nov 18th, 2008, 10:41 AM
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Thank you so much for that excellent advice. I was hoping to work in a day of hanging out at the beach, if the weather in mid December is accommodating. I will check out all your recommendations~
Nov 18th, 2008, 11:16 AM
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For visitors to Hong Kong who want to go to Macau, it makes sense to stay in Macau for one or two nigths rather than doing daytrips because hotels are significantly cheaper in Macau than Hong Kong.
Anyways, while Hac Sa is one of the nicer beaches in Hong Kong and Macau combined, it's hardly a true "beach resort". You may want to fly to Sanya on Hainan, or go further like Thailand if that's what you're going for.
Anyways, while Hac Sa is one of the nicer beaches in Hong Kong and Macau combined, it's hardly a true "beach resort". You may want to fly to Sanya on Hainan, or go further like Thailand if that's what you're going for.
